“I’m still in love with Katie. My ex-wife.”
A tear started to roll down Janice’s cheek, it was the first time I had seen Janice even close to crying, and it made me feel like complete shit.
“How long have you known?”
My expression gave away my confusion with her question.
“How long have you known that you are still in love with Katie?
“Only this afternoon, although deep down I guess I always knew. I just couldn’t admit to it. Didn’t want to.”
Janice just gave me a nod in response.
“I knew there was something stopping you from committing to us. I was hoping it was because you were afraid to get hurt again, that’s why I’ve been patient.”
“I know, I was hoping I would get over her with the more time I spent with you. But after six months that hasn’t happened yet and its unfair on you for me to just hope that someday I will.”
Janice signaled for the waiter and for the bill.
“Let me get this Janice. It’s the least I can do.”
“No, it’s alright. It’s your birthday.”
We walked out front of the restaurant and Janice turned to me and gave me a hug.
“I’m sorry this hasn’t worked out for us. I am thankful that you were honest with me though.”
“I’m sorry too Janice. I hope you find the right guy that loves you the way you deserve to be loved. I really do.”
“Can you do me one last favor then Greg? You need go to talk to your ex-wife. You need to deal with this or you’re going to stay unhappy.”
“You’re the second person today that’s told me that. I will, I promise.”
“Goodbye Greg.”
“Bye Janice,”
I opened the door to my apartment, walked in and crashed onto the couch. What a shitty birthday!
——————-
It’s Saturday morning, last night I broke up with Janice on my birthday. I wandered out to my kitchen after my shower to start brewing my coffee, when my phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hey sleepyhead, you going to let me in?”
“Hi Shani, what are you doing here, and at this early in the morning?”
“Just let me in, it’s cold outside.”
My apartment does not have a remote buzzer so I quickly threw on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans and went down and let Shani in. We got back into my heated apartment and went into the kitchen while Shani took off her coat.
“I’m making a coffee, you want one?”
“Oh Yes please!”
I placed the coffees on the kitchen bench in front of us. I took a mouthful then looked at Shani.
“So, John told me you needed to talk. He said you were having issues with Janice.”
“It’s 7am in the morning Shani, I don’t need to talk that desperately.”
Shani let out a laugh.
“What you think I came over here at 7am specifically for you? I am picking up my parents at 8am to go out for the rest of the day and they live like two blocks from here. I figured I could sort you out on the way.”
“Well, you needn’t have bothered, I sorted out the issues with Janice already.”
“Really, John said she wanted you to move in together?”
“Yeah, well that’s not happening. We’re not happening. We broke up last night.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, and on your birthday too. Happy birthday by the way.”
“Yeah thanks. Look I had to tell her the truth, I told her I’m in love with my best friend’s wife.” As I gave Shani a wink.
Shani started laughing at me.
“Lying shit. At least you haven’t lost your sense of humor yet.”
I just shook my head and laughed to myself.
“So I hope you were gentle with her, she was really lovely.”
“As gentle as you can be when you have to tell her it’s because you’re in love with someone else.”
“Oh stop it Greg I’m being serious.”